"Bergonzi remains the leading Italian tenor of his generation," wrote the Chicago Sun-Times in 1989. "He can spin a long, beautiful phrase and then produce a thrilling crescendo at the close … but the most extraordinary thing of all is his warmth. Bergonzi always has stood apart because of the depth of involvement in his singing." In this 1981 concert from Switzerland, the tenor sings a program of arias spanning 20 years of Verdi’s career, including a selection from his rarely heard first opera, Oberto. Among the other arias are "Ma se m'è forza perderti" from Un Ballo in Maschera, "Ah sì, ben mio" from Il Trovatore, and "Oh! fede negar potessi…. Quando le sere al placido" from Luisa Miller. For an encore, Bergonzi brings his vocal artistry and dramatic power to the heartbreaking "E lucevan le stelle" from Puccini’s Tosca. Instrumental portions include the exquisite Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana, the Prelude to Aida, and the William Tell Overture.